Customer Reviews

Oliver Mtukudzi Collection

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My wife got this CD as a gift from a co-worker. At the time, we had no idea who Oliver Mtukudzi was, although we later recalled (or thought we did) possibly seeing him with Bonnie Raitt on Austin City Limits, or some such concert show. Whatever, this album grabbed us immediately, and continued to grow the more we played it - which was nearly nonstop for a couple of weeks. Talk about infectious music! Eventually, we each wanted it in our car players, so we had to buy another copy, and we later wound up buying another half dozen and giving them out as gifts. It is that good. These are some of the catchiest, hook-laden melodies you will hear anywhere...the back-up vocals and instrumentation are great...and Oliver's voice is soulful and expressive. Unquestionably one of those 5 or 10 CD's you'd want if stranded on a desert island kind of albums.

In simple terms, this is the first CD I have ever listened to more than one time at the first sitting. In fact, I kept playing it again and again.

Excellent quality recording. I'm a higher-end listener and appreciated the full, undistorted bass, excellent highs and vocals.

Track #4 is simply addictive.

The liner notes provide a summary of the song's basic theme. The only thing I can think of to make this a more enjoyable experience would have been having English translations of the lyrics.

This album contains joyful music that will have you toe tapping and humming along. Even after countless playtime in my car and at home the songs still sound fresh from the upbeat and optimistic soul of his music; plus his respect for family and fellow humans comes through in the lyrics. Its a shame that artists like Mtukudzi do not get more exposure in a crowded space of trashy music.

A beautiful, happy collection indeed.

Oliver Mtukudzi's Collection is the latest, accompanying a U.S. tour and gathering some of his best works from his previous six albums. This actually is the best introduction one could have to Mtukudzi's sound and diversity, as it features some of his best-known works. If it's authentic African music accessible to lay audience you wish for your library collection, don't leave these out: they'll be much-lended and highly appreciated.

Well a few weeks back I saw a concert of Oliver and the "Black Spirits" in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. I have been listening to African Music a long time, and I have to admit I had never heard of Oliver. Well it took about three songs...and there you go, you cannot resist the beauty, talent and soul of Oliver Mtukudzi. I believe everyone that night in Prospect Park agreed: this was just an incredibly beautiful concert, that brought joy, communion and a few tears to all present. (and plenty of dancing)
Now, just get this CD. Play it once, twice and watch out, by the third time, that's the only CD you'll be playing for a long time!
Soul. Root. Spirit.

I first heard of Oliver at a boutique that I worked at in Dana Point Harbor. We sold the Putamayo CD's and I used to play his a lot. I heard that he was performing at San Juan Capistrano library and I took my dad with me to see them play. They were even better live! I loved the messages in the music and between some of the songs, Oliver would speak some words of wisdom to the audience. It was truly a spiritually uplifting event and under the stars and a full moon too! It was funny, because before the concert my dad heard that the Eagles were performing in San Diego that evening and was envious. I told him after the concert that I hoped Oliver Mtukudzi was a good alternative to the Eagles and he said "Are you kidding me? I'm glad I saw him instead of the Eagles!" That is the impact Oliver's music has. Enjoy whole heartedly.

I bought this album after seeing Tuku live in Washington and while it doesn't generally have the drive and life of his live gigs it is a good review of his work. Good to create that mood of Africa and contains great Zimbabwean style guitar work. If you enjoy African music you'll enjoy this.

Oliver Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe is now in his 50s and has been performing and recording for more than 25 years. He has achieved legendary status in contemporary African music. "The Tuku Years" which span this compilation were 1998-2002 when seven albums were made, some of which were only released in Southern Africa. Included are two rare live tracks. This is a highly appealing collection featuring Tuku's strong lyrical raspy voice and wonderfully rhythmic guitar playing, tightly accompanied by the guitar of Philani Dube and a host of other players, with female backing vocals echoing his strong messages about everyday life and its associated social and political issues. There is plenty of musical poetry and dance here, with captivating melodies and toe-tapping rhythms that roll effortlessly along, imbued with deep passion and emotion that easily draw the listener in. "Kunze Kwadoka" at a party will have every single person on their feet guaranteed. This is the original African sound that inspired Paul Simon's Graceland.

Tuku is certainly a master songwriter - from the gentle "Wake Up" through to the powerful wail of "Hear Me Lord", the strength of this extraordinary artist consistently shines through. Sound quality is excellent.

I love this cd I got it as a Christmas gift from my father. The best track (in my opinion) is track 3 Ndakuvara, the vocals so powerful, and the arrangement is stunning. The live tracks are also great, making the cd more then just a compilation album.

While one of Oliver Mtukudzi's tunes would fit in beautifully on an African mix CD, this collection doesn't show a lot of range musically. Basically, every tune is a four bar verse progression followed by a four bar chorus progression, with the same melodic riffs repeated over and over again. They're nice riffs, but it's hard to tell one tune from the next.

But... his lyrics are supposedly very good, though I suspect most listeners won't be fluent in any of the African languages he sings in. The liner notes do explain the song lyrics in narrative form, not word-for-word (which would probably lose the meaning, anyway).

I guess it depends on what you're looking for... this is worth a couple of spins, but something like one of the Rough Guide's country-by-country anthologies or a more dynamic group like the Sweet Talks or Tinariwen have more enduring value.